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Carbon Footprint Analysis of Tourism Life Cycle: The Case of Guilin from 2011 to 2022

Author

Listed:
  • Rui Cao

    (Key Laboratory of Ecology of Rare and Endangered Species and Environmental Protection, Ministry of Education, Guangxi Normal University, Guilin 541006, China
    Guangxi Key Laboratory of Landscape Resources Conservation and Sustainable Utilization in Lijiang River Basin, Guangxi Normal University, Guilin 541006, China
    Institute for Sustainable Development and Innovation, Guangxi Normal University, Guilin 541006, China)

  • Yanhua Mo

    (Key Laboratory of Ecology of Rare and Endangered Species and Environmental Protection, Ministry of Education, Guangxi Normal University, Guilin 541006, China
    Guangxi Key Laboratory of Landscape Resources Conservation and Sustainable Utilization in Lijiang River Basin, Guangxi Normal University, Guilin 541006, China
    Institute for Sustainable Development and Innovation, Guangxi Normal University, Guilin 541006, China)

  • Jiangming Ma

    (Key Laboratory of Ecology of Rare and Endangered Species and Environmental Protection, Ministry of Education, Guangxi Normal University, Guilin 541006, China
    Guangxi Key Laboratory of Landscape Resources Conservation and Sustainable Utilization in Lijiang River Basin, Guangxi Normal University, Guilin 541006, China
    Institute for Sustainable Development and Innovation, Guangxi Normal University, Guilin 541006, China)

Abstract

Low-carbon tourism is an important way for the tourism industry to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the goals of carbon peaking and carbon neutrality. In order to promote the development of Guilin as a world-class tourism city and ensure the sustainable development of the tourism industry in Guilin, this paper combines the concept of carbon footprint and the theory of life cycle to build a tourists’ carbon footprint life cycle analysis model of Guilin. Taking tourists in Guilin as an example, the composition and changes of tourists’ carbon footprint are dynamically analyzed. The research shows that: (1) The overall tourism carbon footprint of Guilin showed an upward trend during 2011–2019. From 2020 to 2022, due to the impact of COVID-19, Guilin’s tourism carbon footprint has decreased significantly. The per capita carbon footprint of tourism in Guilin showed a downward trend from 2011 to 2022; (2) The order of the size of Guilin’s tourism carbon footprint is tourism transportation > tourism catering > tourism accommodation > tourism activities; (3) From 2011 to 2022, the carbon footprint of tourism transportation in Guilin showed an obvious narrowing state, while the carbon footprint of tourism accommodation, tourism activities, and tourism catering showed an obvious expanding trend. Based on the characteristics of the carbon footprint of Guilin’s tourism and the current situation of the development of Guilin’s tourism, this paper puts forward suggestions on reducing carbon emissions, forms a new tool for evaluating and constructing low-carbon tourism, and provides a scientific basis and practical reference significance for the sustainable development of low-carbon tourism in Guilin.

Suggested Citation

  • Rui Cao & Yanhua Mo & Jiangming Ma, 2023. "Carbon Footprint Analysis of Tourism Life Cycle: The Case of Guilin from 2011 to 2022," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(9), pages 1-17, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:9:p:7124-:d:1131592
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Gössling, Stefan & Peeters, Paul & Ceron, Jean-Paul & Dubois, Ghislain & Patterson, Trista & Richardson, Robert B., 2005. "The eco-efficiency of tourism," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 54(4), pages 417-434, September.
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    1. Akihiko Tsutsumi & Ryuzo Furukawa & Yusuke Kitamura & Norihiro Itsubo, 2024. "G20 Tourism Carbon Footprint and COVID-19 Impact," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(5), pages 1-43, March.
    2. Haiqiao Wang & Li Shang & Decai Tang & Zhijiang Li, 2024. "Research Themes, Evolution Trends, and Future Challenges in China’s Carbon Emission Studies," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(5), pages 1-22, March.
    3. Tihamér Tibor Sebestyén, 2024. "Evaluation of the Carbon Footprint of Wooden Glamping Structures by Life Cycle Assessment," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(7), pages 1-27, March.
    4. Jiajia Wan & Pengkai Wang & Mengqi Wang & Yi Huang & Jiwen Luo, 2025. "Research on the Carbon Footprint of Rural Tourism Based on Life Cycle Assessment: A Case Study of a Village in Guangdong, China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(14), pages 1-28, July.
    5. Qiao Wang & Meixian Wei & Nan Wang & Qiuhua Chen, 2024. "The Impact of Human Capital and Tourism Industry Agglomeration on China’s Tourism Eco-Efficiency: An Analysis Based on the Undesirable Super-SBM-ML Model," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(16), pages 1-24, August.
    6. Heekyun Oh, 2024. "The Moderating Role of ESG Administration on the Relationship between Tourism Activities and Carbon Emissions: A Case Study of Basic Local Governments in South Korea," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(12), pages 1-26, June.

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